At a recent IFDA meeting Christi Lopez, president of Bergeron’s Flowers and Events gave a presentation with Rio Roses (Panama, Sweetness, Gem Star, Chablis, and Lydia) provided by Equiflor Corporation.

Ms. Lopez used a mock “Baby Shower” in her client’s home to set the stage for her program “Home Entertaining”. She explained that her client, Mrs. Rabbit was having the shower for her 40-year-old daughter-in-law who was having her first child – gender unknown.

The party was to be attended by her own older more established friends and by her daughter-in-laws friends (some of who would be bringing small children).

“Mrs. Rabbit”, not being fond of “crepe paper party decorations” wanted her gathering to have a more sophisticated feeling while being festive and happy at the same time.

The daughter-in-law’s favorite flowers, Christi explained, were roses.

During the presentation Christi ’s showed attendees all the possibilities for floral décor from the time guests arrived at the home, through all the activities of the party, and even for leaving the event with flowers in their hands.

Her first piece was a willow wreath made to look larger with the addition of a hula-hoop, which was then decorated with ribbon streamers and flowers to be hung on the mailbox signifying that “this is the place the party will take place”.

To welcome guests at the door Christi gathered mini pots, filled them with assorted roses in blocks of color, and tucked them into a big basket trimmed with ribbon that coordinated with the wreath and the client’s color scheme.

She explained that her first thoughts were to use mini potted plants but because Equiflor had sent so many roses this display was done in fresh cut flowers.

One of the first things that guest would see on a breakfront as they entered the foyer of the home was to be a ceramic vase that the client had made herself. Christi stated that because it is a sentimental container for the client special care should be taken to protect it from staining – like the use of a liner.

And Christi mentioned that she often has the client bring these types of container to her the week of the event so she doesn’t have to be responsible for them for long periods of time.

A wall basket filled with fresh cut flowers was to be hung in the room used for coats, wraps, and by young mothers’ with small children as a nursing, quiet, or changing room.

Christi explained that the professional should offer to provide flowers for every room that guests would be using.

For her scenario Christi created a long lasting wall piece that was made from foam core, fabrics “collected during initial meeting”, fresh curly willow, and dried grasses.

Fresh flowers were added for the party and can be removed afterwards – leaving a permanent wall decoration for the hostess (and all her close friends) to remember her by – every time they see it from now on – and so they’ll think of her when they need flowers.

Christi talked about using unusual things as foundation for creative design to add interest and told the story of finding an old lantern discarded by the family in the backyard during the initial meeting.

Painting it turned out to be a great way to pull non-flower colors (aqua) into her arrangement for the coffee table.

And, when a client gives you lots of little miscellaneous (and even unattractive) things to use, Christi asked the group to consider creating a compilation of the items to make a big display – accenting with trendy colors, textures, and even mixing other mediums to provide continuity for in design.

This one was meant to rest on the fireplace mantel over the mother-to-be’s chair and would therefore be caught in all the pictures. Christi stressed the importance of anchoring all the little pieces well so they would be secure as the piece got moved from place to place.

Christi also encouraged the group of designers to look at their own inventory to see what could be used for the event before simply buying all new vessels and containers.

Even though this little bunny was originally an Easter item, it was the perfect little play on words for this baby shower given by the client (Mrs. Rabitt) who wanted things to be happy and festive.

Christi told the group how small vases of flowers could be used room-to-room throughout the house to provide continuity, color, and unexpected ambiance in the bathrooms, office, hobby room, etc.

Christi talked about guarding against water damage when putting flowers on a client’s furniture. This customer basket was lined with a serving bowl, and filled only partially with water so little mini bouquets could drink until they were to be sent home with guest as favors.

Christi mentioned that by using one type of flower to create the whole event a designer could order in quantity, get the best deals, make the most money , and keep the client on budget.

You can see Christi’s designs displayed in a home setting at the Flower Godmother blog.